SAG-AFTRA Twitter Interview with Tracey Edmonds, Co-Chair of the Produced By Conference

SAG-AFTRA Twitter Interview with Tracey Edmonds, Co-Chair of the Produced By Conference

May 24, 2012, 11:50am

SAG-AFTRAHi @Traceyeedmonds thank you for joining us live for this twitter-view!

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra Hey!! I'm excited to be doing my first twitter-view with you!!

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds what does the @Produced_By Conference offer that is unique from other industry conferences? #PCBsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra Lots!! Top notch speakers like Brian Grazer, Christopher Nolan, Mark Cuban, Will Packer, Mark Gordon, Doug Wick, & many more! Plus mentoring roundtables with the industry's top producers in an intimate setting. The producers will have a chance to share & teach in a roundtable environment. And we'll have great panels, exhibits, and an awesome atmosphere for networking at Sony studios!

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds that IS unique!

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra Yes!! This is going to be our most exciting year ever and I'm co-chairing :)!!

SAG-AFTRA @Traceyeedmonds how many industry professionals attend the @Produced_By Conference every year? #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra It varies, but we usually have at least 1000-1200 professionals attend the conference each year. Most are producers, but many are actors, directors, and executives. Everyone can benefit by hearing what producers are up to. Lots to share & learn from all.

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds why should a SAG-AFTRA member, an actor, attend Produced By and what audition advice can you offer? #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra Actors are always faithful attendees to the PBC because it gives them an inside look at what producers need & want. Our roundtables are gr8 opportunities for actors to ask advice on casting, moving into producing, pitching, etc. The best audition advice is just to listen closely to what the directors and producers are looking for.

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds As a producer, what are the best ways to utilize the information being offered at Produced By? #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra The best way to make the most of the PBC is to choose sessions that address your weaknesses or curiosities! Listen to every question that is asked. Listen to the nuggets of advice from speakers. Take it all in and network while you're there!

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds as @Produced_By co-chair, what are your favorite parts of the event? #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra @Produced_By As co-chair I'm excited about it all, but really LOVE the mentoring roundtables which I'll be participating in. They give us a chance to REALLY sit down and talk to people in an intimate setting, tell stories, answer questions, & give advice based on our own personal experiences! It's great and they are very popular!

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra They have. They give producers access to great talent they we may not have otherwise. And they motivate actors with bigger names to participate in lower budgeted films which help independent producers!

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds Congrats on the success of Jumping the Broom! #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra Thank you!!! That was a community effort! I loved working with everyone involved on that film :)!!!

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds How do you think the film’s success would have been impacted were it not union? #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra It would have been a significantly different film if it was not union. The actors with names and faces that audiences recognize are usually union actors so if we had produced the film outside of the union, our cast would have been entirely different & it would have been more of an indie style film that would not have had the audience we had.

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds Do you have any advice for up and coming female producers? #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra My best advice for female producers and any producer is 1. Learn your craft and study the industry so that you know how to articulate your vision. 2. Find your FIRST PROJECT: let it be a unique and appealing story to tell that you are passionate about. 3. Be aggressive in networking with people who are in positions of power or have connections to help you. 4. Become diligent and thick skinned. You'll have to endure a lot of rejection, but you have to believe in your vision and not give up!

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds How do you feel about diversity in the entertainment landscape & the union’s Diversity in Casting Incentives? #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra The lack of diversity in TV and film is still one of the industry's biggest problems. There are not enough programming slots on television for people of color nor do we have enough distribution slots for urban film releases. It's a major problem! We've gone backwards and not forwards in the opportunities for people of color. I applaud the union's Diversity in Casting Initiatives. It's great to see you thinking out of the box in terms of ways to encourage studios, producers, and filmmakers to include people of color in their films! Kudos to you :)!!

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds Finally, where do you see the @Produced_By Conference going in the future? #PBCsagTracey Edmonds@sagaftra @Produced_By Our conference continues to evolve and expand its topics as the industry evolves. For example, we've made a serious effort to stay current with new media topics and this year we've added 7 sessions on digital production, distribution and marketing to the line-up. We've also added mobile marketing. We also stress our green initiative and PGA Green. @Produced_By is collecting e-Waste and doing a raffle for some really great prizes! We like to keep it fun while we share & teach.

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds Thank you for your time today and all of the great info and advice! Is there anything else you'd like to tell us? #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@sagaftra @Produced_By I see a lot of tweets coming in asking for more info about the conference! As soon as I'm finished, I'll reply :).

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds we look forward to seeing you at the @Produced_By Conference June 8-10 @Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City! #PBCsagTracey Edmonds@sagaftra Thank you!! It was fun doing my first Tweet-view with you. Just want to encourage any aspiring producers to attend the PBC! You will get SO MUCH out of the experience, and will walk away with so much useful information. Don't miss it!! Thanks again.

SAG-AFTRA@Traceyeedmonds thank you again! #PBCsag

Tracey Edmonds@Produced_By @sagaftra Thank you for supporting!!! Had fun doing the interview :)!!